An 18-year-old man, Romanch Mahajan, died on Wednesday following an incident involving a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park, New York City. The carriage reportedly became startled and bolted, colliding with another carriage and overturning near Cherry Hill at West 72nd Street and West Drive. Mahajan, a tourist from India, fell from the carriage and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition before succumbing to his injuries.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for the Central Park Conservancy expressed condolences to Mahajan's family and highlighted concerns regarding public safety related to horse-drawn carriages. The conservancy has previously advocated for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in the park, citing risks to public safety.
The union representing carriage drivers, TWU Local 100, indicated that preliminary information suggests the driver may have stepped away from the horse to take a photo before the incident occurred. The union supports a thorough investigation and has called for improved driver training and regulations.
This incident marks the eighth horse-related occurrence in and around Central Park in the last 13 months, raising further scrutiny of the horse-drawn carriage industry in the city.